From the Philippine Star (Jul 24): 2 suspected 'teen' NPAs nabbed in Agusan del Sur
Two teenage boys were arrested by the military after they were identified as members of the New People's Army in Agusan del Sur, rights group Karapatan said on Wednesday.
Two teenage boys were arrested by the military after they were identified as members of the New People's Army in Agusan del Sur, rights group Karapatan said on Wednesday.
Karapatan also accused members of the 26th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Loreto, Agusan del Sur of torturing the suspected communist rebels-- a 17-year-old, and the other a 16-year old, both Lumads of the Agusanon tribe.
"Torture marks are physically evident on different parts of their bodies," the group said.
Based on the reports reaching Karapatan chapter in Manila, last July 22, the two teenagers, along with two others, were onboard a motorcycle on their way to Brgy. Poblacion to register for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections when they were stopped by soldiers.
The soldiers, along with para-military Bagani troops, lined up the four, two of whom were identified by Bagani leader Jun Uson as NPAs and the ones responsible for the attack on government troops earlier.
Karapatan said the four teenagers were brought to the Kauswagan barangay hall where they were interrogated and detained.
However, the other two teenagers later were released while the other two were brought to Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur for inquest, the group said.